Remonstrate
Donald has been reading
a book on Confucianism. He came across a word in the following passage that he
wants more information on:
“When applying the
principles of filiality in the text to the relationship between leader and
subject, there is no praise for blind obedience. Quite to the contrary, one
section is devoted to remonstration.”
‘Of
old, an Emperor had seven ministers who would remonstrate with him,
so even if he had no vision of the proper way [Dao], he still did not lose the empire.’
so even if he had no vision of the proper way [Dao], he still did not lose the empire.’
[Confucianism by Ronnie L. Littlejohn]
Donald’s question was
about remonstration and remonstrate. Both variants come from the Latin monstrare, to show. Originally, remonstrate was a synonym
of demonstrate, to manifest or reveal. Eventually, it came to mean “to point
out a fault to another by way of reproof, disapprobation, or complaint; to
protest against a wrong.”
Other words based on
monstrare—all of them rare or obsolete—include commonstrate (to make clear),
monstrable (capable of being shown), monstration (a sign),and premonstrate (to portend).
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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